Love and Marriage... | Farmington, NM Engagement Photographer | Liz Applegate

This couple was so fun to work with. We shot this session in Salt Lake City as I was there to help my mom and they were down from school in Idaho. The weather was overcast and had been cold, cold all weekend. But the day of the shoot, voila! still overcast (which is a little known secret -- this is the best lighting to shoot in) but the weather was into the 40s. Right after we finished the shoot -- well, let's just say cats and dogs describes it best. They were troopers and so fun to shoot. Their love was infectious and they were so happy to just be together. Ah young love! Gotta love it!

Mr. L is 8 months | Liz Applegate | Farmington, NM baby photographer

Little boy L is growing up so fast. When I see these little guys for a whole year every time they come back I fall in love with them all over -- and love their new stage in life. It is even more fun when their sibling, like little L's sister, come back after their first year is up. I just love these two little ones. Take a look...

Lighting workshop? Should I or shouldn't I?

Back in the fall of this year I had the awesome opportunity to travel to Woodland Hills in Utah for a workshop on lighting with the fabulous Nichole Van. I have one word for this workshop - Wow! Okay... Wowee-wow-wow!

We met in the classroom in her beautiful home and learned at the master’s feet. Going into the session I was a little afraid that I would be overwhelmed and not quite knowledgeable enough, but both she and her husband were very down to earth and VERY helpful. Having taught at the nearby college she knew how to TEACH (which so many of the teachers who have presented workshops I have attended don’t). The information was well thought out and presented in such a way that photographers from all levels could follow along and keep up. The handouts (or should I say textbook) too, have been very helpful as I have referred back to them often.

I came away with a knowledge on how to light my pictures in all situations – especially how to light in the middle of the day. That is always a tough one for photographers – how do you overcome those pesky shadow issues in the middle of the day?! Now when a client calls and says the only time they have available is at 1:00 in the afternoon, I don’t have to spend all of my time looking for an overhang which will give me even lighting – I can shoot them in full sun. Aah!

Another great part of the workshop is that we had hands on training. Quite a bit of the workshop was done shooting. You never quite learn until you are able to do it for yourself. You can soak in all the information you want but until you actually do it for yourself, you never REALLY learn. I came away with the confidence that maybe I could do this, and have since DONE it! I so prefer my outdoor pics now to my outdoor pics before.

The best part about the whole workshop – being able to meet with other photographers who are in the same boat as me. In our off-hours, and during shooting, I was able to visit with other photographers and discuss how they handle this situation with a particular client or this particular lighting situation. Sometimes I feel like I am alone in this quest of mine to follow my photography dream, but it was great to see there are others out there with the same feelings – struggling to run their own business and handle this particular type of client or light this particular situation, etc.

If you are looking for one workshop to invest your educational dollars, I would say you have found it. In the vernacular of those high school seniors – You totally have to do it!

Family in waiting... | Farmington, NM Maternity Photography | Liz Applegate

So this great couple is down to the final countdown. Pretty soon they will be able to hold their little boy in their arms. I promised I would share only the "covered up" shots and they turned out fun, but some of the others that I didn't share, SO FUN! Anyway, enjoy these and I will see you two in about a month to do your newborn shoot. Enjoy.

She just keeps getting cuter...| Farmington, NM Child photographer | Liz Applegate

So cute little Ms. A came in a few months ago for her final shoot of her first year. She had other ideas, however, and would have nothing to do with us. Finally after a little while we all gave up in utter frustration - we got a few cute ones but I just didn't feel satisfied that we had given her a good shoot!

Well, they came back yesterday and what a difference. She was so happy and still as darling as ever! Now, however, she was talking and walking and we had a whole lot of "chasing" to keep up with her. But when you see this darling little one, how could you help but love to chase her? Anyway, enjoy this beautiful eye candy! There are more on my facebook page here.

Ms. A, NMMI student |NM Farmington portrait photographer | Liz Applegate

I did this beauty's senior pictures a few years back (class of 2009) and she has now moved on to college. She is, however, STILL a beauty! She went on a volleyball scholarship to NMMI (New Mexico Military Institute) and has played ever since high school. She will graduate after this semester and is not sure where she will go, but as long as she has her cool uniforms she wanted to do some in those. Well, the weather was FREEZING and she was such a trooper. With the wind chill it had to be down in the 20s and in order to get the full effect of the uniform, she couldn't wear a coat. She kept a smile on her face, however, to the very end. Thanks so much Ms. A. Let me know where you end up next semester. (More pics are on my facebook page).

Finally here... | Farmington, NM Newborn photographer | Liz Applegate

You could just squeeze those cheeks! And look at her beautiful hair! Introducing Addisyn. Don't you love her? I know her parents do. Congratulations you two!

Farmington, NM Family Photography | Liz Applegate

I love this family. I have been working with them through Mom's sister's wedding, cousin's wedding, and now their family photos. I was thrilled when they wanted their photos done at their mom's house as there are so many really cool spots to shoot at her house. I love my job, what can I say? There are more at my facebook page, here.